In recent times, Ms. Mandela gained widespread recognition for her unwavering commitment to sharing her cancer treatment experiences openly. Her candor extended beyond her health struggles, as she also openly discussed her history of drug addiction.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation commended her inspirational work in raising awareness about cancer prevention and dismantling the stigma surrounding the disease.

Ms. Mandela fearlessly addressed her battles with depression and revealed that she had endured sexual abuse as a child. Additionally, she passionately campaigned for improved road safety following the tragic loss of her 13-year-old daughter in a 2010 car accident.

Tragically, she also experienced the premature loss of a son. She leaves behind four children as part of her legacy.

Zoleka Mandela, the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela’s second wife, Winnie, shared her remarkable journey in her autobiography, “When Hope Whispers.” Diagnosed with breast cancer at the tender age of 32, she underwent treatment and achieved remission, only to face a later recurrence of the illness.

Last year, she bravely disclosed her battle with cancer in her liver and lungs, which had sadly spread to other organs. While initially receiving outpatient care, she was admitted to the hospital just over a week ago.

In a poignant Instagram post early last month, she expressed her heart-wrenching thoughts, saying, “What do I tell my children? How do I tell them that this time around I may not get to live my life as a survivor? How do I tell them everything will be OK when it’s not? I’m dying… I don’t want to die.”

During an interview with Kaya FM in April, Ms. Mandela shared, “I’m learning to be okay with my eventuality.” Her raw honesty resonated with many on social media, where heartfelt tributes have been pouring in since the news broke.

“An utterly tragic loss of a remarkable human being, following in her grandfather’s footsteps. She was a genuine, honest soul in a world often filled with hypocrisy,” commented one individual on social media.

Another person, writing on Instagram beneath the Mandela family’s announcement, said, “You were one of the bravest people I know, and you inspired many on your journey of hope.”

Zoleka Mandela was just 10 years old when her grandfather was released from prison in 1990, after enduring 27 years of detention. She had known him only as an incarcerated man, and when he was finally released, her heart swelled with excitement at the prospect of having him come home.